brake light

When we found out that we were moving to Japan, four years ago, while we were stationed at Aviano, Italy - we also discovered that Japan does not allow the importation of vehicles. Our choices were to sell our vehicles or store them in American at the military's expense. We owned two vehicles and attempted to sell them both. The first vehicle, my husband's truck, sold almost immediately. That very day, Jeff discovered that the cost of our family going on Safari to Kenya was the exact same amount as what we had just recieved for the truck. We went on safari in Kenya. The other vehicle never did sell, and it is currently being stored somewhere in America.

We arrived in Japan without a vehicle and we had already spent the money we were supposed to be using to buy a car on a really fun trip to Kenya. To our surprise we found the world's most lovely vehicle for just under $4,000. We decided to share this vehicle during our four years here in Japan. Boy, has that been fun.

About three years ago the brake light started coming on. At first it was just when we first started the car on cold days. Then it slowly started coming on more and more often and then, it was just always on. Jeff and I debated the meaning of this light. He thought that it meant that there must be a short in the electrical system of the vehicle. Did I mention that it is a 1991 Toyota Surf (SUV)? He believed that the brake light's purpose is to let the driver know that the emergency brake is engaged, since the emergency brake is not engaged the light is an indication of an electrical problem. I believed that the brake light serves two purposes, one to let the driver know the emergency brake is engaged and two to let the driver know that the brake fluid is low. Jeff absolutely did not agree. He pointed out that the brakes worked fine. If there was a problem with the brakes we would feel it when we tried to stop. Everytime we drove together in the car he would complain about the light and I would remind him of my theory. Which he poo-pooed for three years.

To be fair, I would say that I know more about cars than Jeff. When I was single I was also poor and I changed my own oil and attempted to make all repairs on my car. Or talk someone else into doing it for free. I could have filled the brake fluid at any time during those three years. But, what fun would that be? Now it is time to sell the car. We are thinking that it is not going to be easy to convince a prospective buyer that the brake light doesn't mean anything. Would you buy a car if I told you that the brake light had been on for three years, and therefore it doesn't mean anything is wrong? Probably not. We were worried we would not be able to get a single yen (approx. $00.01) for our beautiful truck.

Out of desperation Jeff bought some brake fluid. And then instead of putting the brake fluid in the car on his own he waited until I was in the vehicle. This occured on the way to visit the doctor when I injured my ankle. Nothing like a stop to fill brake fluid on the way to have my poor ankle examined. Three years with the light on, and this is when he decides to listen to me. (Ankle still hurts a bit, but not too bad )Then he pulled into the gas station, and opened the hood, and filled the brake fluid reservour all the way up to the top. He got back in the car, very smug, ready to laugh at my ignorance....

No more brake light. I win.